Vic Abuse Victim Says He Is "Scarred"

Sky News
July 31, 2014

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/local/melbourne/2014/08/01/vic-abuse-victim-says-he-is--scarred-.html


A Victorian man sexually assaulted as a child by a Catholic priest says weddings and christenings leave him devastated for months because they stir up memories of the attack.

The former altar boy, now aged in his 50s, said he lived with guilt and loss every day since he was molested in the 1970s.

The now-retired priest, 88-year-old James Henry Scannell, was last month found guilty of a single charge of buggery by a Victorian County Court jury.

He continues to deny committing the assault.

The victim said the attack had left him unable to form one-on-one friendships and put a strain on his marriage.

'I have lost my religion, I lost this the day I was molested,' he said in a victim impact statement read to the court.

'The memories start every time I walk past a church.'

He said the only time he entered a church was to attend a wedding, christening or funeral.

'These leave me devastated for months,' he said.

'I will live with this for the rest of my life. I feel guilt. I feel loss.'

In a pre-sentence hearing on Friday, defence barrister Max Perry said Scannell was well regarded by his peers and the community.

'There are many people who have seen only good in him,' Mr Perry said.

He emphasised that there had been only one complainant and one offence.

Judge David Parsons said the lack of remorse shown by Scannell weighed heavily in the balance of sentencing considerations.

'There is not the slightest hint in any of the materials of remorse,' Judge Parsons said.

Prosecutor Kristie Churchill said general deterrence was of paramount importance in cases such as these.

Scannell will be sentenced on August 7.

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